A: There is competition between those who claim to have the so called "Casa
Santa" (Holy House), the house of Our Lady in Nazareth where the Annunciation possibly
took place and/or where the Holy Family lived. Besides Ephesus  which honors the claim
to Mary's house in the later years of her life and Jerusalem, which does the same  there is
Loreto, Italy, which seems to have a valid claim to this honor for the early years of Mary's life. A
third location, Tersato, Dalmatia, commemorates the passage of the Holy House in via to Loreto.

Loreto seems to have the best chance of actually possessing Mary's house.
Its claim is based on architectural and historical proofs. Investigations showed that its
dimensions were identical to those of the House of the Holy Family that was missing from
its place of enshrinement in a basilica of Nazareth. Markings found in the stones of this
house are similar to those found at Nazareth. Those and other elements weigh in favor of a
translation (sea? sky?) of the house to Loreto.

Interior of the House in Loreto

The Ephesus house-its existence and location-is based on the visions of
Catherine Emmerich, but lacks solid historical and architectural tradition. The discussion
among scholars leads to a negative assessment and is considered final. All this should not
demean the importance of these shrines for our faith. We bring our faith to these monuments, we
do not receive it from them. Bringing our faith to Loreto or Ephesus, we contemplate important
aspects of Mary's life, in particular the wonderful story of Jesus' coming into the flesh and his
growing in wisdom before God and the world.

This page, maintained by The Marian Library/International Marian Research Institute,
Dayton, Ohio 45469-1390, and created by
Chad Pfoutz
, was last modified
Thursday, 10/09/2008 13:14:50 EDT
by
Omar Memon
. Please send any comments to jroten1@udayton.edu.